Families of six people who died from methanol poisoning in Laos in November 2024 are calling the authorities' decision not to charge anyone a "slap in the face." Simone White, 28, from Orpington in south-east London, was one of those who died after consuming free shots at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng.
Laotian authorities announced last week that they could not determine if the deaths were caused by any individual's actions or a specific cause, citing the absence of autopsies. However, Simone's brother, Zak, told BBC Newsbeat that this conclusion was "ridiculous," particularly as Simone's death certificate lists "methanol toxicity" as a cause of death.
Simone and her childhood friend, Bethany Clarke, were among approximately 100 guests who reportedly received free shots believed to be contaminated with methanol. Both women fell ill the following day and were hospitalized. Simone was placed on life support before she passed away. Medical documents confirmed methanol was found in Bethany's blood in November 2024.
In addition to the two Britons, two Danish citizens and an American also died following the consumption of the tainted drinks. "For them to say there's not really enough evidence, I think for me and my parents, it's a bit of a slap in the face, really," Zak stated, questioning the authorities' assertion given the death certificate. He had previously expressed a lack of expectation from the Laotian legal system, noting that authorities were "not very forthcoming with trying to speed things along."
The case will remain open for 15 years, though Bethany indicated she has low expectations for future progress from the Laotian legal system, adding, "To my mind it's very clear what's happened. I don't know why it should take a rocket scientist to come to the conclusion of what's happened here."